How to Install Outdoor Light Fixtures - Be Your Own Handyman @ Home

[@nelliebellie3622]

Thanks for this video! As a woman, I’m very comfortable doing electrical as my father was a master electrician, but he’s gone now and without my supervisor I always question my knowledge and capabilities. This video reassured me and I changed out a little ugly crappy back porch light with a bigger, much more attractive one and it looks great! And it works too lol. Next up, a very large one hanging over a 3 car garage. Thanks for the boost of confidence!

[@dianewest6209]

Nice instructions, but I still wish you'd just come over and install mine for me.

[@JuanFlores-yj3vx]

I'll do for you 11 months later. Lol I hope you have it installed.

[@initra25]

Good afternoon from San Antonio.... you just saved me $175 dollar installation fee!!!!! Thank you.... god bless.

[@annnorth9255]

Great how to video! Straight to the point, great video and perfect detailed information. You make it possible for anyone with an understanding of the basics, to do this installation without having to depend on a professional to do this basic homeowner's task. Thanks

[@kimspraggins6503]

Good morning from Detroit and thank you so much!!! I've been trying to get my Man to install a porch light for 2 yrs now and he's leaving this weekend so I'm going to do it myself and surprise him when he returns from his fishing trip! There's a very bright street light at the corner so putting a porch light in isn't high on his honey-do list! :-)

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+Kim Spraggins That's a great idea!!! He will be impressed too!

[@susanjones848]

Be Your Own Handyman @ Home j

[@marymclane5877]

Kim Spraggins p

[@paradoxdea]

I'll do it, and I don't charge much.☺

[@eastside313yahdig.2]

Sounds like you need a new man. P.s ..he’s not fishing either he’s with that other women 😡

[@THEPinballJunkie]

Thanks for showing the Screw Cutter. I have one of those and didn't know what all the holes were for! :) haha! Cheers

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

Haha! :-)

[@daltonschannel8405]

Dave thank you for posting this video. The wife wants our outside light changed and asked me if I could change them out & I said sure I can. lol Then I jumped on you tube and found your video which explains how to change them out very easily so now she's happy. lol

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

Awesome, thanks!

[@tl9873]

Thank you so much for your video. After my husband struggled getting the light installed for 2 hours...he was ready to give up until I found your video.

[@viziakavuru90]

This is an awesome video and the directions are pretty clear. I did mine just today by following these instructions and I felt really thrilled. Thank you so much Dave for your help which saved me from hiring someone to do it and that would be an expensive thing!!! 😄

[@Username8281]

I enjoyed the video. I also appreciated how steady and HD the video was. Thank you for sharing.

[@darrellkga]

Very easy and simple. Great instruction sir. I know how to change the lights, but never did one outside. So the silicon tip was especially appreciated.

[@DancerCommander]

I enjoyed your video and learned a lot, including cutting the mounting bolts in case it is too long (so that the thumb screws are snug against the fixture plate). Thank you for taking the time to share your handyman skills on how to install outdoor light fixtures.

[@michellec2814]

Thanks so much! This video is incredibly helpful and gave me the confidence to change my own exterior lights! Thank you!

[@alexabe93]

Just bought a house today and im going to use this video to replace the outdoor lantern. Looks totally doable!

[@Nathan-gi9mm]

Thank you very much. Very educational video. I was a little confused about what to do with the ground wires and the screw which was answered. The tip you gave on caulking was also extremely useful. I would have done the whole thing if I hadn’t watched this. Thank you

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

Great! Glad it helped.

[@David-sw3on]

I thought I would brush up on my electrical skills and I am so glad that I came across your video...I learnt 3 new tips that I never used to do until now, so thanks very much!👍😉🇨🇦

[@tonynewman597]

Great video Dave! I liked your closing comments! lol The only thing I would have added (for those who aren't very handy or safety conscious) would have been to test the power before removing the lamp to insure the power is off after the main has been switched off. To include removing all jewelry to prevent any physical or electrical accident. Once again thank you for making this great video. It's a lot easier than I thought. :)

[@Acekid187]

Great video. I just tackles 3 exterior lights that have motion sensors. This video help me out a bunch. First time home owner. I cant thank you enough for your help. Just subscribed to your channel

[@shannoninalaska]

Thanks for making this video. Very detailed and easy to understand. I feel confident replacing my outside garage light now.

[@iamgeoffery2648]

Honestly I purchased a light for my drive way from lows and I just couldn’t figure it out and after trial and error I figured out the wiring but I just could not figure out the mounting idk what heck and plus it was night fall so not much light but you really helped me and I’m ready to get at it first thing in the morning. Thank you very much

[@edmondlau511]

That was a nice and simple video straight to the point. I've had a phobia of dealing with electrical stuff for nearly 40 years since I stuck a screwdriver into an outlet as a small child...

[@smartphonerepairwi775]

Great step by step video. Fantastic job! Thanks

[@Happymom50]

Thank you! Nice to have. Man who is patient to teach us...

[@martymar77b]

First time homeowner here. Just learning things on the fly. Great video. I gave a sub.

[@rmphotoart]

Thanks Dave. Not being a handyman, I would have never figured out to get that plate mounted. Your unhandyman Bob.

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+Robert Mongillo lol thanks.

[@nonhof-fisher]

Thank you for posting this! It really helped me install two of our outdoor lights :D

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+Nonhof-Fisher Awesome!

[@THEPinballJunkie]

Great Job Dave! Now I'm ready to do the same little project! Your vids are great! Thanks!

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@slidingjosh]

Thanks Handy Man Dave, this will help me to change both out door garage and front porch light. great vid

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

Thanks, it should help you out.

[@jmfurious9837]

I really enjoyed watching this video. You were great sir. Well done!

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

thank you. glad I could help

[@westcoast3940]

I installed the same ones at my parents house. They bought them from Costco. Great tutorial!

[@MPERIALENTERTAINMENTD]

I just replaced my exterior light. The "+" bracket that you slide the light onto did not have screws in the center to tight, just a hole. I fed my wires through the center hole, capped & taped them, but there was not room to put them back through the hole behind the vinyl so I just left them behind the backing of the light fixture and put silicone around the top and sides. It is not perfect, but it's up. I may want to redo it later. I don't know. Thanks for the video.

[@caseylyon566]

Thanks for video - gave me confidence to change an exterior light

[@syl96797]

Just did mine today! Thanks for the great video Dave!

[@martaescobar7625]

Dang....I didn't know that tool could do that! Awesome...Thanks:)

[@JR007x]

awesome vid and perfect instructions. will try them out this weekend.

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+JR007 Great!

[@JimzStuff]

Thank Q. Just installed 2 on my garage. Your instructions were spot on.

[@NoWay-hn6ik]

Thanks for the awesome tutorial!

[@stella4209]

Thank you Dave, that was very helpful i have just subscribed to your channel, i'll be turning to you for handy man videos :) Cheers !!

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

Thank you!!! And glad you subscribed!

[@latinoncal2003]

Thank you for going step by step and being brief...some people's videos are long winded but not yours....Excellent instruction...I appreciate it

[@janimagoteaux8875]

I was concerned about my ground wire thanks for going step by step and helping get the job done.

[@thenacat]

Thank you very much! I am so excited to have these resources. May be coming to you for other suggestions (ie problems in my own home)!

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

Awesome!

[@TexasMan77]

Nervous about working around electricity but want to do this to my two lights. You just simply de energize at the circuit breaker to avoid electrocution?

[@adamberg6649]

Yes, and definitely have the light switch off for the fixture, acts as a double safety if the breaker was on somehow it would be off a the switch

[@ahofeld]

Dave - your video about how to replace an outdoor light fixture is exactly what I need to give me the confidence to change our outdoor fixtures at our front door. I went out yesterday to try to find the offset crossovers that I will need to attach to the masonry, but could only find ones where the 2 pieces rotate on each other, and do not have the screws to be able to "fix" the rotation in a specific spot/at a specific angle. I tried Menards, Home Depot, Ace Hardware and an lighting specialty store, all with no luck. Can you tell me where you can get those specific crossover pieces? Thank you.

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

Doesn't the previous light fixture have that part already and if so you can use that one. But all The new light fixtures I have installed came with those parts also.

[@soxside1976]

Thanks Dave putting up a few outdoor lights & your video helped & seemed easy to do, I never liked messing with electricity but it's something I need to do as a home owner.

[@Cudabrown3]

Thank you for posting this video i just watched this video last night and i put new ones in today cause of this video thank you again

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+Cudabrown3 Awesome that's great news...you did it! Glad the video helped and thanks for letting me know!

[@alexveeuk]

Good Tutorial my recommendation though do the silicone after you tested the light. I did all of that to install my light but then realised when I had put the silicone on and turned on the light one of my cables was loose and had to take it off whilst the silicone was setting sigh....

[@TracyHRodriguez]

Very comprehensive, thanks. Can you explain the part where you put the ground wire around that green screw?

[@kbengson9163]

That's the copper ground wire coming from the power source from inside the house, and he is attaching the copper wire to the green ground screw,then he attaches the copper wire from the new light fixture to that excess copper wire hanging off the green ground screw with a wire nut (he said wing nut but it's wire nut). The light has to be grounded and that's what he did was tie all grounds together and affixed to the green grounding screw in the mounting bracket\fixture.

[@yetijoeyetijoe]

Would love to have seen that light in action in the dark. Also, do you have a video of wiring a new outdoor light? I want to add a 2nd one and replace the existing one.

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+yetijoeyetijoe You know, that is a great idea to light it when dark for the viewers of the video...I'll remember that! Is there any wiring where you want to add a second?

[@yetijoeyetijoe]

+Be Your Own Handyman @ Home Not at the actual wall. There is one light on one side of the garage and I would like to add one on the other side of the garage. I will buy a matching pair and considering an LED version like yours.

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

In your case, I would consider having an electrician install the electrical for the new fixture location that is not already there.

[@FranksDIY]

It is a good practice to use a voltage tester and or indicator before proceeding. I can work on them live but I am a Electrician and I still recommend testing it and making sure you are safe. Depending on who wired it it can me wrong but still working.example they are switching the natural and you still have power there to ground. Be safe . And nice job on video

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

thanks...good point, the voltage meter can be of use but I have found most people do not have them nor want to invest in them for small projects, though they are inexpensive. If they will be doing many home improvements and projects then it is worthwhile to purchase one.

[@angelcoleman4447]

How did you know you needed to cut the screws. How do you know which is the ground wire?

[@teresamoss3452]

Thank you so much! They gave us a bracket with the wall light that won't work with our box in the wall. Where can you get the metal bracket you used in the video and what is it called?

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+Teresa Moss I suggest taking a photo of the new fixture and where the bracket should go and show them to someone at a hardware store. You might also measure the size of the hole in the wall where the wiring goes.

[@austintxgalfromcali8801]

OMG - Watching this video so I can replace my motion sensor outdoor garage light makes me think maybe I shouldn't. Well......I went outside looking for where all the birds are and the chirps were from the video! Dah! At least I can laugh at my craziness. 🤣 Great Video. Thank you.

[@anonymous8633]

Thanks for the video just wondering what's the company name of the bolt cutter you have? if you don't mind sharing. Thanks

[@backwindow]

just a generic wire stripper you can buy at any big name hardware store. www.amazon.com/WGGE-Professional-crimping-Multi-Tool-Multi-Function/dp/B073YG65N2/ref=sr_1_2?crid=YA2OAC5U66N7&dchild=1&keywords=wire+stripper+with+bolt+cutter&qid=1592452063&sprefix=wire+stripper+with+bol%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-2 heres a 7$ one

[@drumma1316]

Thanks so much for this video, Dave! Very helpful!

[@goodfellapt2]

Handy man Dave good video. Where did you get the light fixture? Is there a link or model number?

[@BlacknailtechChicago]

Thanks. More ladies are attempting small projects like this to save money. Just remember to shut off the electricity before you begin. Don't worry, if its your first time it may take more than 30 minutes, but once you finish, you will be happy and proud. Anytime I need help with something, I go to Home Depot and ask for advice or call customer service on the instructions.

[@TexasMan77]

You mean shut off the breaker, moving it from one side to another shuts it off?

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

generally speaking yes.

[@megandaniels3875]

So I bought a light fixture from Habitat. Didn't come with screws or that metal piece to support the light. Can I just use the old one from other fixture?

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

Yes as long as they fit.

[@jennymartinez6875]

I know this video is old but was hoping I could get you to tell me where you got that light fixture from. It’s super nice and is exactly what I’m looking for.

[@packattack2893]

I think he got it at Lowes. Mine are exactly like that.

[@packattack2893]

My mistake. Its a COSTCO LED Lantern.9

[@24kred3]

Hi...I am wondering if you would know what would make the led lites blink sometimes but not all the time...I have 3 of these in the front of my house and only one is doing this....I have cleaned the entire inside..it did have quite a few cobwebs in it...the washer arounf the sensor was broken so I replaced it thinking that just maybe the light was getting inside somehow and messing with the sensor's ability to "read" it....but that did not change anything....I have checked for lose wiring and it all seems fine.....got any ideas??? thank you

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+24kred3 Have you cleaned the sensor itself? Dirt, hard water, and other elements can block sensors. Also any lose wiring or connectors?

[@24kred3]

yes, thank you for replying...I have cleaned everything and checked all the wiring...I am going to assume at this point that it may be the the sensor control unit.....

[@MizzDeee]

What kind of camera do you use to record?The quality is outstanding! I would love to know!

[@beccathompson9192]

Dee Jones he uses a Nikon Polaroid and just combines the pics together. Duh

[@MizzDeee]

Becca Thompson microwave for 4 minutes, then cool.

[@beccathompson9192]

Dee Jones then smash*

[@MizzDeee]

Becca Thompson yes, it was from Kohl's.

[@beccathompson9192]

Dee Jones That one has been recalled. So I suggest taking it to the nearest salvage yard and having the auto wrecking ball crane smash that thing until it is the consistency of dust.

[@David-Daithi]

Thanks for the straight forward video!

[@desiramos9665]

Great video! Thank you.

[@zhilinzhao8617]

Good morning! Very help for me! I use the same light from you! But this few days the light do not work. How can I repaire that?

[@RhondaBengochea]

Yes I did enjoy the video. You make it so easy to do it yourself. Thanks.

[@viviangerard459]

where did you find the black light fixture also did you have to repaint thanks

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+Vivian Gerard Hi no I did not have to repaint, and the fixture is a rubbed bronze color. I bought the fixture at Costco.

[@SuperChef1990]

Thank you for your knowledge this helped me out alot and taught me some new things also

[@valstar361r6]

great vid. keep up the good work.

[@rashadsmith3435]

Thank you! awesome video! I will be using it to install my new outdoor light!

[@chalkycliff4068]

We moved into new house couple weeks ago, the porch lights dont work. But there appears to be a motion sensor just above the garage door that looks like it has had it. I assume this needs replacing to make the lights work?

[@libaaxalee]

Thank you for help, really helpful.

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+Wanaaje's Channel Thanks good to hear!

[@Himmel6811]

I have two white wires and two black wires from the wall. Does all 3 connect to properly work? Also Removing my old light has a circular bracket does the new bracket replace that or go over??

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+Himmel Connect the whites to the whites, black to black. Keep the colors matched. If the old bracket will work/fit, then you can just use that one. Or, you remove it and use the new one.

[@Himmel6811]

Thx bud! I'm a fan for life!

[@Yodaismycopilot]

Very nicely done! Great quality video! Seems like a bad design on the fixture where you are unable to utilize the empty space behind the bracket to screw the bolts in without cutting them. For example, it the mounting holes were one the top and bottom of the fixture instead of on either side. Or, if the mounting screws went directly into the part of the bracket that attaches to the wall. And just lose the secondary swiveling piece of the bracket. But nice job with bolt cutter. I didn't know about these. Gonna have to get one! Also, does this mean no one can install this particular product without cutting the bolts? Seems weird. UPDATE: I see elsewhere that the two receptacles for the bolts (that are permanent in the wall) are often not configured side by side (left to right). In another video they were situated at about 11 and 5 O'clock, so that the top swiveling part of the bracket did not have the underside part of the bracket blocking).

[@joeaksa]

Great step by step video, thanks!

[@Gamezoom1]

thats a big helper ,thank you from Iowa

[@friendlychick86]

great video thanks will have to show my husband

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

great thanks!

[@htokid7299]

I started a new job setting trailers today and I can’t seem to get the wing nut to connect tight to the wires on some of them. I don’t know why.

[@ginaanitoni5167]

HTO Kid pre twist or get a bigger wire nuts. If the wire is too small gauge 16+ the fold the wires over to get threads to bite

[@chinantan6064]

Mr. Handyman, thanks for the video. The LED light burned out. Do you know whether I can get a replacement for the LED light? Thank you.

[@RM-ub1xd]

Most likely the LEDs are still good it's the ballast that burns out all the time on these led style outdoor lights especially from costco.

[@ak13three]

Hi, thanks for posting this video, quite helpful. I realize that it's been 5 years since this video was posted but how is that light holding up. I have an exact same light that started blinking this evening.

[@skipdavis6733]

A K. I have the same light.....just started blinking.....after about 2 years

[@ak13three]

@@skipdavis6733We recently bought the house where this happened. Not sure how long those lights have been out there. But here in Phoenix conditions are brutal outside for most of summer. Our house faces East so the lights are in direct sunlight for about 6 hours, which might contribute to components failing. I wanted to replace them with non-led lights but my home CEO overruled that :). We will see how the new lights hold up.

[@skipdavis6733]

A K We are also East facing in KS... I just replaced it with another Costco light that I never go around to putting up...🤞🤞

[@billyobfas6962]

Mr. Dave, this is more fitted towards lights that already have wiring done and you're basically replacing or adding it in? To do the wiring yourself it would be too difficult, I'm assuming?

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

Like the title states, how to install outdoor light fixtures. I've worked all my adult life with electricity/wiring/voltage/electronics, so no,  electricity is not difficult for me. BUT it is dangerous for the average DIY that does not have experience/knowledge in that area.  I usually recommend to the home DIY to hire an electrician or someone experienced to do the actual wiring if there are no existing wires in the wall for pre installation of the light fixtures.

[@billyobfas6962]

Be Your Own Handyman @ Home I think we have one light around the outside of the house which already has wiring done. I'm going to shop around for a light. Can I assume this tutorial is applicable to every light I'll see in the store? Btw thank you for the clear and easy to understand tutorial.

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

Yes, if you're in the US it should be the same. The only differences I sometimes come across is wire coloring.

[@billyobfas6962]

+Be Your Own Handyman @ Home I was able to do it! Thanks for the vid! Although the light I got had extra wires like a red one. Also, I'm thinking about changing the lock to the front door because it's broken. Is it a job for the self-handyman?

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

Absolutely! Do you want me to make a video for door locks?

[@HassanAbdin1987]

Thanks Handyman Dave

[@suzannebarrette8784]

hi... i wish you would have shown how you got the light fixture to stay so steady while you were installing... ??? also, is mounting bracket universal ? why did you take the original one off ?

[@AV-kc2ro]

The light fixture comes with its own bracket. I just finished installing mine, this video really helped

[@cfldriven]

This is replacing an existing outdoor light fixture, you do have video that involves installing fixture from scratch?

[@1942nn]

This should be titled as "How to replace outdoor light fixtures", as the junction box and wires are already there.

[@ahayahbpraise9369]

Exactly my point

[@Nestorgee520]

Thank you for your video. Many Blessings

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

I am glad the video helped you.

[@Mitalayeka]

Thanks Handy man for sharing.

[@leeh-xh1iw]

The best one for detail. Thanks

[@wnpeters]

I just bought a home and these lights are installed on the house already. One of the LED's burned out, but I don't know what brand of light it is. Could you please tell me what brand of light this is? Thank you.

[@jennifermac7]

I changed out 2 exterior fixtures today on a stucco home. One light fits snug against the house but the other is not snug to the stucco, what could be the issue?

[@grandfury5609]

Very informative super easy but sometimes homebuilders cut corners I've found that out first hand.

[@tvbs56]

finally HD level Handyman.

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+Hao Jin yeah I 've been doing HD for two years now.

[@1984guiness]

Where can I find a mounting bracket like the one you used? I dont see it at home depot or lowes. I have a light that came with a circular bracket and it doesnt work with a rectangular junction box.

[@whocares0692]

That bracket usually comes with the light.

[@KemDIY]

Great video! Thanks for the help.

[@yolandaserrano5052]

Good morning Mr. Dave,I have the outdoor lanterns for years, but I am having issues with them. The lighting is not the same it seems that I need to replace the bulb, but there is not a bulb to replace. How do I fix them?

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+Yolanda Serrano hard to say without seeing it, but if there's no bulb what is creating the light? You might have to replace the whole fixture?

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+Yolanda Serrano thought I answered this but I don't see it... what is the light source if there's no bulb?

[@ashburnconnecttv7860]

For newbies/beginners, you should have explained more of what you're doing. For example, connect black to black and white to white wires. My advice is to always give more info than less. Food for thought!

[@BeYourOwnHandymanHome]

+AshburnConnectTV Thanks, I realized that afterwards, and so I did that in my next video about changing ballasts. My wife said "don't forget black to black, white to white" ;-)

[@noahmizrahi9834]

wow, that looked easy to do, I just hope hitting the main breaker on the fuse box inside quarantees there wont be a shocking experience comming. My dad installed a ceiling fan but still got a little jolt of electricity even though the main breaker was hit and cut power to the whole house.

[@noturaveragehermit6958]

Helped greatly made things easy thank you.

[@JessRodr]

Thank you!! Extremely helpful! 😃

[@Lovesick9186]

Hi wanted to know what’s the product name of the light u used I have the same like u installed but I need a replacement

[@rranger1014]

It is an Altair (formerly Luminaire) model AL-2150. You're welcome :)

[@yokoref]

Ok, this is going to be a long shot but, you wouldn’t happen to remember the make and model of the new light you installed in this video? It looks like I have the same lights installed outside my house and one of them is going bad and I haven’t been able to find a replacement in the stores.